Supporting Charities

Taste of Buffalo Shares its Success with the Community!

It was 1984 when the Taste of Buffalo was started on a shoestring
budget with a mission to promote local restaurants, bring people
back downtown, and provide the city with a fun family event. Thanks
to the support of the community and the thousands of volunteers
who have participated in the 20 Taste's since then, as well as
the support of so many generous sponsors, the event has truly grown
and prospered!

The Taste is committed to maintaining an affordable
family event. For example, no entry fee to the public is charged
and food item prices are tightly regulated. Where else can your
family go to enjoy an entire weekend of free entertainment which
offers such a wide a variety as to satisfy all "tastes" for
so little? Now that's value!

In addition to showcasing local restaurants
and entertainers, the Taste of Buffalo presented by Tops works
closely each year with a number of not-for-profit groups -- allowing
them to earn additional revenue by staffing beverage tents, selling
tickets and handling other tasks. The Taste even has a program
to provide usable leftovers to local soup kitchens.

Each year — after all the bills are paid
and our financial statements are reviewed by independent auditors
Brock Schechter & Polakoff, LLP — the Taste selects one
or more local charities and makes a contribution to them. The size
or number of these gifts depends on the weather, food & beverage
sales for the event, sponsorship, and, of course, production expenses.
Every year is different. This charitable contribution is made in
addition to the Taste providing a small stipend to all the groups
that provide volunteer support in our beverage and ticket booths.
If you are associated with a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization
that wishes to be considered for future events, submit our charity
application.